Rangeland Ecology & Management

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Consumption of low larkspur (Delphinium nuttallianum) by cattle
Author
Pfister, J. A.
Gardner, D. R.
Publisher
Society for Range Management
Publication Year
1999-07-01
Body

Low larkspur (Delphinium nuttallianum Pritz.) is a toxic range plant that is often fatal to cattle when ingested during spring or early summer on foothill or mountain rangelands. Grazing trials near Price, Ut. during 1996 and 1997 examined toxicity and consumption of low larkspur by cow-calf pairs. Toxic alkaloid concentrations were relatively stable although larkspur plants rapidly matured. Cows and calves did not differ (P > 0.1) in consumption of low larkspur (0.6 and 1.1% of bites, respectively), and calves began eating low larkspur readily (up to 21% of bites) early in the trial. Larkspur density did not affect consumption by cattle (P > 0.1), but there was an interaction between density and day, as on 2 days (days 8 and 21) cattle ate more (P < 0.05) low larkspur in the pastures with more larkspur. Stage of growth also affected consumption (P < 0.05) with greater consumption after flowering. Increased grazing pressure caused cattle to eat more larkspur until larkspur density was reduced by grazing. Cattle apparently avoid eating low larkspurs before flowering, and cattle may eat little low larkspur if sufficient other forage is available. Losses may be reduced by ensuring that grazing pressure and/or stock density are not excessive on low larkspur infested rangelands. The Journal of Range Management archives are made available by the Society for Range Management and the University of Arizona Libraries. Contact lbry-journals@email.arizona.edu for further information. Migrated from OJS platform August 2020

Language
en
Resource Type
Text
Document Type
Journal Issue/Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
10.2307/4003549
Additional Information
Pfister, J. A., & Gardner, D. R. (1999). Consumption of low larkspur (Delphinium nuttallianum) by cattle. Journal of Range Management, 52(4), 378-383.
IISN
0022-409X
OAI Identifier
oai:repository.arizona.edu:10150/643923
Journal Volume
52
Journal Number
4
Journal Pages
378-383
Journal Name
Journal of Range Management
Keywords
developmental stages
cows
poisoning
calves
stocking rate
grazing intensity
biomass
phenology
feeding preferences
Delphinium